‘Jai Hind…Jai Hind…’
…as i heard the Motherland being hailed thus…
…upon the silver screen…
…historic pictures that waltzed across many a scene…
These words evoked a response deep within…
…making me wonder and ponder…
…reflect, inspect and introspect –
Through the corridors of existence…
…the twists and turns, curves and swerves…
When was the last time…
…these words…
…received the sincere, heartfelt…
…steadfast intensity and commitment…
…that it so rightfully deserves…?

Living in the fast lane of life…
…we had bypassed the Mother’s feelings…
…so too, as we zoomed forth and journeyed on…
…we had trampled upon the relics of many a fearless icon …
…choosing to disregard and overlook…
…extremely valiant, heroic and courageous acts…
…facts…
…that deserved veneration, yet faced obliteration…
…brave sons and daughters who did their Mother proud…
…who passionately pledged and vowed…
…and battled for her sanctity…
Many of whom gave up their life…
…without much ado…
…readily…unhesitatingly…spontaneously…
…with the sole focus –
To restore the homeland’s honour and dignity…

Overcome with profound remorse…
…pangs of repentance did my heart stir…
…now, hither and thither did i search for her…
…but to no avail…
…even so…determined was i to locate her…
…come what may, my quest i would not curtail…
Oh! A myriad sorrows does a Mother’s soul assail,
And we, her children, heartlessly ignore her travail…
…trust, loyalty, obligation and conscience…
…is up for retail…However, in spite of this woesome scenario…
…would she leave her brood in a lurch…?
Was the Mother finally driven to desert…
…her irreverent family…
…that consistently, callously and carelessly…
…did her wholesome sentiments disconcert…?

My heart was full of rue…
…if only she knew…
…through impulsive indulgences in all that is material…
…in selfish pursuits…
…the senses had finally met its murky waterloo…
…i was looking for her…only to say unto her –Oh! Beloved Mother India…
…there is an earnest desire to do for you…
…all that i must do…
…to prove to you…though it seems otherwise…
…that…i do truly love you…

And so the search did continue…
…miles and miles through…
Scouring and scanning the lanes and bylanes…
…of villages, towns and metros…
Perhaps the mountains and plains…
…rivers and lakes…
…would shower pity and her whereabouts disclose…

A bit of Mother India shines through…
…through every tender, responsive…
…and responsible citizen…
…whose heart still feels for her plight…
…and has not gone barren…
Who still does retain care, concern…
…sensitivity and ethics…
…beyond the clutches of greed for power…
…shifty, scheming, manipulative antics…
…and the temptation of submitting to vainglorious compromise…
…trapped in the vortex of tricks and tactics…

She shines through innumerable hearts…
…that seek a golden era…
She glistens through guileless eyes filled with hope…
…and faith that knows no full stop…
…only the brief pause of a comma…She radiates through the aura…
…of those who care for her flora and fauna…
Who exude a brotherhood…
…sagely aware of the Oneness of Jesus, Zoroaster,
Mahavir, Buddha, Shiva, Jehova, Allah and Krishna…She breathes and sparkles through every courageous act…
…and each compassionate deed…
…and all efforts to overcome negative traits that do breed…
…while peace, unity and progress…
…threaten, impeach and impede…

A fervent prayer rings through…Oh! Beloved Bhagawan – Humbly do we stand before Thee, Do us forcefully reprimand…
May each Indian heart…
…beat with supreme love,
For their Motherland…Her predicament…her needs…her desires…
…may we fully appreciate…
…endorse and understand…
May we focus…
…on deeds that bring her glory…
…the ones who strove hard to set her free…
…may we acknowledge, appreciate, respect and uphold…
…their hard-won priceless legacy…Dear Lord…
…strengthen this resolution…
…herald in a transformation…
…may compassion increase and consciousness expand…
…may we collectively be able to correct…
…all the wrongs in our precious homeland…That we may be able to meet the Mother’s gaze…
…redeem her prestige…
…realise her sacrifice…
…through eternity to hold close…cherish and value…And then, whisper unto her determinedly…
…devotedly, resolutely –
Oh! Mother India…
…there is an earnest desire to do for you…
…all that we must do…
…paschatap…prayaschit…
…repentance…atonement…
…along with a defined wholesome retinue long overdue…
…to prove to you then…that we do love you…And so, along with our efforts…
…our search for you will continue…
Jai Hind…Jai Hind…Jai Hind…
Oh! Mother India,
Cherished Motherland…
Beseeching the wondrous grace of our Beloved Lord…
Truth and righteous living we will pursue…
…past mistakes resolve and review…
We will strive on to keep proving to you…
The earnestness of our words through and through…
…though we have let you down hitherto…
Jai Hind…Jai Hind…Jai Hind…
…our soul silently applauds you…
Oh! Beloved Mother India…
…believe us…when we say –
We do love you…